Frequency synthesizer output cycle counter including ring encoder

ABSTRACT

A method of frequency estimation. A clock output from a frequency synthesizer is received at an input of a ring encoder. The ring encoder generates outputs including a ring encoder output clock and an encoded output which represents LSBs of a clock cycle count of the clock output. A binary counter is run using the ring encoder output clock which provides an output count which represents MSBs of the clock cycle count. Using a reference clock, the encoded output is sampled to provide a sampled encoded output and the output count is sampled to provide a sampled output count. Error correcting is applied to the sampled encoded output to provide a corrected sampled encoded output. The corrected sampled encoded output and sampled output count are combined to provide a combined output which is used for estimating an instantaneous or average frequency of the clock output.

FIELD

Disclosed embodiments relate to dynamically measuring the frequency of a frequency synthesizer.

BACKGROUND

A frequency synthesizer comprises an electronic system which generates at its output a higher frequency signal(s) from the lower frequency signal provided a single fixed timebase or master oscillator. A common way to implement a frequency synthesizer is with a phase-locked loop (PLL).

A PLL is a feedback control system that includes an error detector (comprising a phase frequency detector coupled to a charge pump) which compares the phases of two input signals (reference signal and frequency divided higher frequency output signal) to produce an error signal that is proportional to the difference between their phases. The error signal is then low pass filtered and used to drive a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) which creates a higher output frequency. The output frequency is fed back through a frequency divider to the input of the phase frequency detector, producing a negative feedback loop. If the output frequency drifts, the phase error signal will increase, driving the frequency in the opposite direction so as to reduce the frequency error. Thus the output is locked to the frequency at the other (reference) input of the error detector. This reference input is usually derived from a crystal oscillator, which is very stable in frequency.

One application for frequency synthesizers is for enabling flexible and cost effective implementation of frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar systems. Automotive radar systems generally use such synthesizers to generate a continuous wave (CW) of constant or time-varying frequency. The most common usage is a linear ramp in frequency (vs. time), commonly called “chirp”. For such applications the clock frequency utilized is generally ≧5 GHz.

Any significant deviation from the desired frequency ramp results in a performance degradation which can lead to incorrect estimation of a target's position and/or velocity, inability to separate close targets, or detection of “ghost” targets. Since the user's safety is critical in automotive applications, it is important to continually monitor the frequency error of the frequency synthesizer's output in a continuous wave (CW) manner.

Due to the high clock output frequency generated by frequency synthesizers, to monitor the frequency error of the clock output it is generally necessary to down-sample the clock signal to a lower frequency. After down-sampling, known solutions for monitoring the frequency error of the clock output digitize the down sampled signal, extract the phases, and then differentiate the phases to generate an estimation of the instantaneous or average frequency of the clock output (estimated clock frequency). In addition, measuring the linearity of the synthesizer's output CW from the estimated clock frequency while it is ramping in frequency is typically performed off-line using external equipment.

SUMMARY

This Summary briefly indicates the nature and substance of this Disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Disclosed embodiments estimate the clock frequency for frequency synthesizers allowing the synthesizer frequency error and linearity to be determined. Such embodiments recognize when the frequency synthesizer's clock output is at a frequency of ≧5 GHz conventional binary counters are too slow to be used to measure the frequency CW of the clock output to enable estimating the frequency error CW of the clock output. Accordingly, it is recognized there is a need to find new methods and circuits that allow estimating the frequency synthesizer's output frequency in terms of semiconductor substrate (e.g., silicon) chip area and resolution, and also as an option to find a method to measure frequency ramp linearity on-chip without needing external equipment.

For example, a radar synthesizer generates a clock output comprising a CW of constant frequency or time-varying frequency. The instantaneous clock frequency needs to be accurately determined to know whether the radar synthesizer is performing correctly (i.e., outputting correct frequency) or not. Disclosed embodiments include frequency synthesizer output cycle encoder and counter (OCEC) modules comprising a relatively high speed (HS) ring encoder for encoding the LSBs and a relatively low speed (LS) binary counter running on the lower frequency ring encoder's output clock for the counting the MSBs.

As used herein, a “ring encoder” or an “LSB ring” refers to a plurality of series connected flip-flops and at least one inverter connected cyclically in a ring format, such that the bit pattern reflected at the flip-flops' outputs repeats itself every certain number of clock cycles. The ring encoder receives the frequency synthesizer's clock output (e.g., in one embodiment at a frequency between 19 GHz and 20.25 GHz) and the ring encoder encodes the number of cycles (rising edges) observed on this clock during a predetermined time interval (e.g., 10 ns). A frequency estimator module is provided which has inputs coupled to receive outputs from the ring encoder and the binary counter.

Using a reference clock the frequency estimator performs sampling of the ring encoder state and LS counter state, corrects any errors that may be due to setup or hold violations in the ring encoder sampling, combines the error corrected output with the LS counter sampled output, and uses differentiating or filtering the combined output to estimate the radar synthesizer's instantaneous or average clock frequency. Disclosed OCEC modules provide essentially real-time monitoring of the synthesizer's clock output frequency and frequency ramp linearity which can satisfy a safety requirement such as when used in automotive radar applications, and off-line high-resolution measurement of the frequency ramp linearity for enabling lab measurements/quality assurance (QA) without needing to use external equipment.

The frequency estimator can use a lower frequency reference clock, such as a sequencer clock (e.g., at 100 MHz) already available on chips having a processor (e.g., central processing unit CPU). When enabled by the sequencer clock, if the difference between the estimated clock output frequency and the expected frequency is above the programmed threshold, an interrupt can be automatically generated to the processor (e.g., CPU). In an off-line mode embodiment, the estimated frequency sequence can be sent as an output to a buffer, where it can be stored and averaged over a plurality of chirps, to provide estimated high-resolution frequency ramp linearity measurements. Alternatively, as noted above, estimated high-resolution frequency ramp linearity measurements can also be monitored in real-time. The OCEC module and the frequency synthesizer can both be formed on the same semiconductor chip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a top level block diagram of an example circuit combination including an example disclosed OCEC module coupled to receive the clock output from a frequency synthesizer for generating an estimated clock output frequency, all on a common semiconductor substrate, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a top level block diagram of a circuit combination including an example OCEC module coupled together with estimated clock output frequency signal processing circuitry that receives and processes the estimated clock frequency provided by the frequency estimator, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 shown an example OCEC module including realizations for a least significant bits (LSB) ring encoder, most significant bits (MSB) counter and a frequency estimator, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows example frequency estimator waveforms, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an example lower power mode block diagram, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows a block diagram for an example frequency monitor, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5B shown an example real-time/off-line linearity measurement block, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to designate similar or equivalent elements. Illustrated ordering of acts or events should not be considered as limiting, as some acts or events may occur in different order and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, some illustrated acts or events may not be required to implement a methodology in accordance with this disclosure.

Also, the terms “coupled to” or “couples with” (and the like) as used herein without further qualification are intended to describe either an indirect or direct electrical connection. Thus, if a first device “couples” to a second device, that connection can be through a direct electrical connection where there are only parasitics in the pathway, or through an indirect electrical connection via intervening items including other devices and connections. For indirect coupling, the intervening item generally does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level.

Disclosed embodiments include methods of frequency estimation and monitoring of the clock output generated by a frequency synthesizer. The clock output from the frequency synthesizer is received at an input of a ring encoder. The ring encoder generates outputs including a ring encoder output clock and an encoded output which represents LSBs of a clock cycle count of the clock output. The binary counter is run using the ring encoder output clock which provides an output count that represents MSBs of the clock cycle count. Using a reference clock, sampling is utilized to obtain a state of the ring encoder to provide a sampled encoded output and a state of the binary counter is sampled to provide a sampled output count. Due to the high frequency of the clock output (e.g., 20 GHz), it is recognized herein there will generally be occasional timing violations which will result in incorrectly sampled bits. Disclosed error correction will correct those incorrect bits, where error correcting is applied to the sampled encoded output to provide a corrected sampled encoded output. The corrected sampled encoded output and sampled output count are combined to provide a combined output which is used for estimating an instantaneous or average frequency of the clock output.

FIG. 1A is a top level block diagram of an example circuit combination 100 including a disclosed OCEC module 120 coupled to receive the clock output generated by a frequency synthesizer 110 which is configured for generating an estimated clock frequency, all on a common semiconductor substrate (or chip) 105 (e.g., silicon substrate), according to an example embodiment. The frequency synthesizer 110 is shown being a PLL-based frequency synthesizer. However, other frequency synthesizer types may also be used.

There are four clock domains shown utilized by OCEC module 120 including a synthesizer output clock (SynClk), a MSB clock (generated internally by the LSB ring encoder shown as an “LSB ring” 121 in FIG. 1A), a low power mode clock (LpClk), and a sequencer clock (SeqClk) shown provided by the system clock 131 associated with the processor 130 on the semiconductor substrate 105. For example, the system clock 131 can be the main digital clock on a system chip that provides a clock for the processor(s) (e.g., CPU) and other circuitry on the chip. The low power mode clock (LpClk) provided to the low power MSB counter 128 is shown utilizing the same frequency as the MSB clock (shown at 1.25 GHz) which is shown implemented by dividing the SynClk from the frequency synthesizer 100 at 20 GHz by 16 which is the length of the LSB ring's 121 pattern cycle, using a clock divider 129 shown as a divide by 16 divider. The output of the low power MSB counter 128 is shown provided to the frequency estimator 123, MSB counter 122 and LSB ring 121.

Low power MSB counter 128 as described in more detail below implements a low power mode which reduces power consumption when lower resolution frequency monitoring can be utilized by shutting down the relatively power hungry LSB ring 121. For example, during low power mode operation, the LSB ring 121, the MSB counter 122 and most of frequency estimator 123′ can be shut down.

The LSB ring 121 is shown coupled to receive the SynClk output from the frequency synthesizer 110 shown being at 20 GHz as an example frequency. The LSB ring 121 is shown generating a divided down version of the SynClk output by a factor of 16 to generate the MSB clock shown being at 1.25 GHz, which is coupled to provide the MSB clock to an input of a MSB counter 122 which has an output coupled to a frequency estimator 123. MSB counter 122 by virtue of running at a lower frequency as compared to the LSB ring 121 provides significantly lower power operation per bit processed. The frequency estimator 123 is shown receiving the SeqClk clock, with the SeqClk clock shown being at 100 MHz as an example.

FIG. 1B is a top level block diagram of a circuit combination 150 including an example OCEC module 120 coupled together with estimated clock frequency processing circuitry 140 that receives and processes the estimated clock frequency provided by the frequency estimator 123, according to an example embodiment. The circuit combination 150 is formed on the common semiconductor substrate 105.

The frequency estimator 123 is shown outputting a number which represents the estimated clock frequency divided by 100 MHz to frequency signal processing circuitry 140 that includes a frequency monitor 124 and linearity measurement block 125 that are both coupled to receive the estimated clock frequency number provided by the frequency estimator 123. Although the linearity measurement block 125 is shown on chip, the linearity measurement block 125 may also be off-chip. The output of the frequency monitor 124 provides a real-time indication of incorrect frequency of the clock output that may be used for safety applications. For example, the output of the frequency monitor 124 may be coupled to an input of a CPU or other processor that can also be on the semiconductor substrate 105, such as processor 130 shown in FIG. 1A. When an error is detected by the frequency monitor 124, in response the processor 130 can indicate to a central safety unit that the frequency synthesizer is malfunctioning.

FIG. 2 shows an example OCEC module 120′ including example realizations for an LSB ring encoder shown as 121′, MSB Counter shown as 122′ and frequency estimator shown as 123′, according to an example embodiment. The LSB ring 121′, MSB Counter 122′ and frequency estimator 123′ together provide digital-only frequency estimation of the output clock by sampling a relatively high-speed LSB ring 121′ running on the synthesizer output clock SynClk and the MSB Counter 122′ running on the MSB clock. Using a reference clock shown as the SeqClk, the frequency estimator 123′ performs sampling of the ring encoder state (encoded output for the LSBs) and sampling of the MSB counter state to provide a sampled output count, correcting any errors in the sampled encoded output that may be due to setup or hold violations in the ring encoder sampling, combining of the corrected sampled encoded output and sampled output count to provide a combined output, and uses differentiating or filtering the combined output to output an estimated instantaneous or average frequency for the output clock.

LSB ring 121′ is shown including eight (8) flip flops as an example number of flip flops, each receiving the 20 GHz SynClk including flip flop 121 a providing an output bit F1, 121 b providing output bit F2, 121 c providing output bit F3, 121 d providing output bit F4, 121 e providing output bit F5, 121 f providing output bit F6, 121 g providing output bit F7, and 121 h providing output bit F8 that are series connected. There is an inverter 121 i connected between the output of flip flop 121 h and an input of flip flop 121 a to provide a ring. The eight output bits (F1 to F8) from the LSB ring 121′ are provided to a cross-clock domain resampler block 123 a that has its 8 bit output which provides a sampled encoded output which is coupled to an input of an error correction RAM 123 f shown as a 256×6 bits RAM in FIG. 2 as an example. The F1 output provided by flip flop 121 a is also used as the MSB clock that is coupled to the MSB Counter 122′.

MSB Counter 122′ is shown including a 4-bit binary counter 122 a, an inverter 122 b and four flip flops 122 c. The 4-bit counter 122 a counts the number of positive edges of the MSB clock. The output of this 4-bit counter 122 a (named Count_PosEdge in FIG. 2) is also sampled on the negative edge of the MSB clock, to provide a half-clock delayed version of it (named Count_NegEdge in FIG. 2).

The frequency estimator 123′ includes samplers including a cross-clock domain resampler circuit 123 b which receives the output of the 4-bit counter 122 a (Count_PosEdge) and provides a first sampled output count (Count_Pos_Sampled), and receives the half-clock delayed version from the four flip flops 122 c (Count_NegEdge) and provides a second sampled output count (Count_Neg_Sampled). Adder 123 c is shown in FIG. 2 as a +1 modulo 16 adder, which is more generally a modulo 2^(n) adder, where n is the number of bits in the sampled output count, which is coupled to receive the Count_Neg_Sampled signal and in the case of the 1 modulo 16 adder shown functions to add 1 modulo 16.

Frequency estimator 123′ is also shown including multiplexers 123 d, 123 e, and 123 g, which function to combine the error corrected output from error corrected sampled encoded output received from the error correction RAM 123 f and the sampled output counts received from the MSB Counter 122′, as well as a “virtual” shift-left by 4 block 123 i. Shift-left by 4 block 123 i is “virtual” block because there is no real hardware block involved as the 4 bits simply become the MSBs with zeros as LSBs. Frequency estimator 123′ also includes a frequency estimator shown as a “Diff MOD 256” 123 h which functions as a differentiator which receives the combined output shown as Counter_Final including the MSBs from multiplexer 123 e and LSBs from error correction RAM 123 f and outputs the current input minus the previous input (Y_(t)=X_(t)−X_(t-1)) modulo 256 to provide the estimated clock frequency output shown.

If desired by the user, a low power mode can be enabled. When LOW_POWER_MODE=1 (enabled), most of the blocks of OCEC module 120′ are gated off, such as all circuitry shown being shut down except for the low power MSB counter 128, mux 123 g and “Diff Mod 256” block 123 h of the frequency estimator 123′. The clock for the low power MSB counter 128 is received from the clock divider 129 shown in FIG. 1A, and the low power mode does not need LSB ring 121′, MSB Counter 122′ or most of the frequency estimator 123′ to be powered on.

Regarding how to select the correct MSB value, the frequency estimator waveforms described below relative to FIG. 3 illustrate how the MSB value can be correctly selected from the 3 possible options shown provided in FIG. 2 (Count_Pos_Sampled, Count_Neg_Sampled and Count_Neg_Sampled+1 modulo 16)). The waveforms shown assume all signals coming from SynClk clock domain into the SeqClk clock domain are only sampled once instead of twice, for ease of illustration only. In an actual implementation, per standard Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design practices, the signals will generally be sampled twice, as described above relative to FIG. 2. Three examples are shown each with example waveforms shown for bits F1 (MSB clock) to F8, as well as waveforms for count_posEdge, count_NegEdge, Seqclk, F1 . . . F8 sampled (which are the inputs to the Error Correction RAM 123 f), Select_posNeg, Select_plus1, Count_Pos_sampled, Count_Neg_sampled, LSB and Counter_Final.

The method can choose which MSB value to use (Count_Pos_Sampled or Count_Neg_Sampled) based on the value of one of the LSBs (specifically bit F7 in this particular example in FIG. 3). This ensures that the chosen MSB value was not sampled while its bits were changing, which can result in obtaining an incorrect MSB value.

Regarding LSB error correction, due to violations of setup time or hold time at the ring counter's 121 flip-flops (121 a-121 h shown in FIG. 2) or at the first SeqClk sampling stage of the frequency estimator 123, the sampled LSBs can generate unexpected values. For this reason there is shown a 256-entry RAM 123 f in FIG. 2 which allows a one-to-one mapping from any sampled encoded values to a corresponding programmed binary value stored in RAM 123 f.

Regarding operation of the low power MSB counter 128, this block implements a low power mode which provides a low-power alternative to the otherwise relatively high power-consumption when the LSB ring 121 is operating. FIG. 4 shows an example low power MSB counter 128′, according to an example embodiment. Low power MSB counter 128′ is shown including a 4-bit Gray Code counter 128 a that receives the low power mode clock, which generates the 4 MSBs, with the 4 LSBs assumed to be zeros, so the measurement resolution is degraded by a factor of 16. The output of the 4-bit Gray Code counter 128 a is resampled twice by flip-flops 128 b and 128 c, and coupled to a Gray to binary counter 128 d which provides a 4-bit low power MSB output. Flip-flops 128 b and 128 c each receive the SeqClk.

The 4-bit Gray Code counter 128 a operates on the LpClk, which is the synthesizer output clock frequency (SynClk of 20 GHz) divided by 16. Using Gray coding ensures that the maximum error at the output of the Gray to binary counter 128 d at any time is only 1, thus limiting the measurement error. When LOWPOWERMODE=1 at mux 123 g, the LSB ring 121 and most of OCEC module 120 are gated off, thus saving significant power.

FIG. 5A shows a block diagram for an example frequency monitor shown as 124′, according to an example embodiment. The frequency monitor 124′ is enabled during chirp time by a signal from the processor 130. The frequency monitor 124′ using appropriate circuitry (not shown) internally generates the expected frequency shown, based on the chirp parameters that are sent from the processor 130 which functions as a sequencer, and using subtracting block 124 a subtracts it from the estimated clock frequency generated by the frequency estimator 123. The output of the subtracting block 124 a is coupled to a series combination of a first sliding window (moving average) block 124 b 1 and a second sliding window (moving average) block 124 b 2. The output of the second sliding window (moving average) block 124 b 2 is coupled to a comparing block 124 c. If the difference between the expected and estimated clock frequencies is larger than the configured threshold shown as “Th” (which can also come from the processor 130 functioning as a sequencer), the error indication signal shown output by the comparing block 124 c can be generated which can be used as described above to interrupt to the processor 130 or other processor or hardware component.

For implementing self-test ramp frequency linearity measurements, an averaging RAM sub-system (SS) can be used. FIG. 5B shows an example real-time/off-line linearity measurement module 125′, according to an example embodiment. Linearity measurement module 125′ can be on-chip of off-chip. Linearity measurement module 125′ is shown including a summing block 125 a that receives the estimated clock frequency generated by the frequency estimator 123 and has its output coupled to an input of an adder 126, such as a 32-bit adder. The output of the adder is coupled to an input of the RAM 127, which feeds back its output to another input of the adder 126. This feedback path can be used to average a plurality of similar chirps to improve the measurement precision. After averaging, the RAM entries can be read by software and processed further to assess the quality of the frequency ramp's linearity.

Disclosed embodiments thus provide an on-chip method which can be used to continuously estimate and monitor the frequency synthesizer output frequency in real-time to detect performance issues essentially immediately, and measure the frequency synthesizer's linearity when ramping in frequency, in off-line or real-time mode without needing any external equipment. As described above, disclosed embodiments are generally applicable to all frequency synthesizers and PLLs, not restricted to radar applications.

Those skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates will appreciate that many other embodiments and variations of embodiments are possible within the scope of the claimed invention, and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 

1. A method of frequency estimation, comprising: receiving a clock output from a frequency synthesizer at an input of a ring encoder which comprises a plurality of series connected flip flops and at least one inverter connected cyclically in a ring format; said ring encoder generating a divided down version of said clock output (ring encoder output clock) and an encoded output which represents least significant bits (LSBs) of a clock cycle count of said clock output; running a binary counter using said ring encoder output clock, wherein said binary counter provides an output count which represents most significant bits (MSBs) of said clock cycle count; using a reference clock, sampling said encoded output to provide a sampled encoded output and sampling said output count to provide a sampled output count; error correcting said sampled encoded output to provide a corrected sampled encoded output; combining said corrected sampled encoded output and said sampled output count to provide a combined output, and using said combined output, estimating an instantaneous or average frequency of said clock output to provide an estimated clock frequency.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said error correcting comprises one-to-one mapping using a random access memory (RAM).
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said estimating comprises differentiating said combined output.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an instantaneous or average frequency error (frequency error) provided by said clock output by comparing said estimated clock frequency to an expected frequency, and wherein whenever said frequency error is greater than a predetermined threshold, sending an error indication signal.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a low power mode which shuts down said ring encoder, said binary counter and said error correcting, wherein during operation of said low power mode another divided down clock is provided to a Gray code counter and said estimated clock frequency is determined exclusively from said Gray code counter.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said sampling said output count to provide said sampled output count comprises generating a plurality of different sampled output count options and selecting one of said plurality of different sampled output count options.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said sampling said output count includes sampling exclusively by said reference clock to provide a first sampled output count option, sampling by a negative edge of said ring encoder output clock then by said reference clock to provide a second sampled output count option, and sampling by a negative edge of said ring encoder output clock then by said reference clock and then incremented by a 1 modulo 2^(n) adder to provide a third sampled output count option, where n is a number of bits in said sampled output count, and wherein said selecting one of said plurality of different sampled output count options is based on said corrected sampled encoded output.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said clock output is at a frequency of at least ≧5 GHz.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending estimated clock frequency to a buffer for storage and averaging said estimated clock frequency over a plurality of chirps to provide an estimated frequency ramp linearity measurement.
 10. A frequency synthesizer output cycle encoder and counter (OCEC) module, comprising: a ring encoder that comprises a plurality of flip flops having an input coupled to receive a clock output from a frequency synthesizer, said ring encoder comprising a plurality of series connected flip flops and at least one inverter connected cyclically in a ring format for generating a divided down version of said clock output (ring encoder output clock) and an encoded output which represents least significant bits (LSBs) of a clock cycle count of said clock output; a binary counter having an input coupled to receive said ring encoder output clock, wherein said binary counter provides an output count which represents most significant bits (MSBs) of said clock cycle count, and a frequency estimator having: samplers that use a reference clock for sampling said encoded output to provide a sampled encoded output and sampling said output count to provide a sampled output count; an error corrector for receiving and correcting said sampled encoded output to provide a corrected sampled encoded output, and an estimator receiving a combined output including said corrected sampled encoded output and said sampled output count for estimating an instantaneous or average frequency of said clock output to generate an estimated clock frequency.
 11. The OCEC module of claim 10, further comprising a semiconductor substrate, a frequency monitor that is coupled to receive said estimated clock frequency and compare said estimated clock frequency to an expected clock frequency for providing an error indication when a difference between said estimated clock frequency and said expected clock frequency is greater than a predetermined threshold, and a processor coupled to receive said error indication, wherein said OCEC module, said frequency monitor and said processor are all formed on said semiconductor substrate.
 12. The OCEC module of claim 10, wherein said error corrector comprises a random access memory (RAM) that implements one-to-one mapping for error correcting said sampled encoded output to provide said corrected sampled encoded output.
 13. The OCEC module of claim 10, wherein said estimator comprises a differentiator for differentiating said combined output.
 14. The OCEC module of claim 10, wherein said sampling said output count to provide said sampled output count comprises generating a plurality of different sampled output count options and selecting one of said plurality of different sampled output count options.
 15. The OCEC module of claim 14, wherein said sampling said output count includes sampling exclusively by said reference clock to provide a first sampled output count option, sampling by a negative edge of said ring encoder output clock then by said reference clock to provide a second sampled output count option, and sampling by a negative edge of said ring encoder output clock then by said reference clock and then incremented by a 1 modulo 2^(n) adder to provide a third sampled output count option, where n is a number of bits in said sampled output count, and wherein said selecting one of said plurality of different sampled output count options is based on said corrected sampled encoded output.
 16. The OCEC module of claim 10, further comprising a Gray code counter functioning as a low power MSB counter for implementing a low power mode coupled to said ring encoder for shutting down said ring encoder, said binary counter and said error corrector, wherein during operation of said low power mode another divided down clock is provided to said Gray code counter and said estimated clock frequency is determined exclusively from said Gray code counter.
 17. The OCEC module of claim 10, wherein said clock output is at a frequency of at ≧5 GHz.
 18. The OCEC module of claim 10, further comprising a linearity measurement module coupled to receive said estimated clock frequency comprising a summing block that receives said estimated clock frequency which has an output coupled to a first input of an adder, wherein an output of said adder is coupled to an input of a random access memory (RAM) which couples its output to a second input of said adder. 